Finland customs rules for travellers

Duty-free allowances, gold limits, phone tax, cash rules and banned items for any route, with every number linked to its official source.

✅ Every number is labelled Official, Reported or Estimated, with its source and the date we checked it.

Duty-free allowance in Finland

Goods from outside the EU: €430 per traveller (commercial air/sea travel). Some countries give €150 to under-15s. Allowances cannot be pooled. A single item worth more than the allowance is taxed on its full value. ✅ Official

2.5% flat-rate customs duty plus 25.5% VAT on the excess. 🟣 Reported

Status

Gold jewelleryallowedJewellery you own and wear is fine. New jewellery counts towards the €430/€300 allowance. ≈ Estimated
Gold bars & coinsdeclareInvestment gold counts as cash for the €10,000 declaration and is VAT-exempt, but must be declared. ✅ Official
Mobile phonesallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Laptops & tabletsallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Other electronicsallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
WatchesallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Perfume & cosmeticsallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Clothing & shoesallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Gifts & other goodsallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
AlcoholallowedDuty-free (17+): 1 L of spirits over 22% or 2 L under 22%, plus 4 L of wine and 16 L of beer. ✅ Official
Cigarettes & tobaccoallowedDuty-free (17+): 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco. Some countries allow less for land travellers. ✅ Official
E-cigarettes / vapesallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Cash & currencydeclareDeclare €10,000 or more in cash (including gold coins/bars) when entering or leaving the EU. ✅ Official
MedicinesrestrictedPersonal-use medicines are usually allowed with a prescription. Controlled medicines (strong painkillers, sedatives, ADHD drugs) may need prior approval. ≈ Estimated
Packaged food & sweetsallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Meat, milk & dairyprohibitedMeat, milk and dairy products from most non-EU countries are banned in personal luggage. 🟣 Reported
Plants, seeds & fruitrestrictedPlants, seeds and fresh fruit usually need a phytosanitary certificate. Declare them. ≈ Estimated
DronesallowedNo special restriction recorded. The normal duty-free allowance and duty apply. ≈ Estimated
Weapons & ammunitionrestrictedFirearms, ammunition and many knives need an import permit or licence issued in advance. ≈ Estimated
Narcotics & drugsprohibitedIllegal drugs are prohibited in practically every country. Penalties can include long prison sentences or worse. ≈ Estimated

🏝️

  • Åland Islands: Tax-free sales on ferries via Åland. EU allowances apply when you continue to the mainland. ≈ Estimated

Declare or pay online

  • EU cash declaration form: Required for €10,000 or more in cash when entering or leaving the EU. Many countries let you file it online in advance. ✅ Official

Leaving Finland

  • Declare €10,000 or more in cash when leaving the EU. Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases at the last EU exit point. ✅ Official

⚖️ If you don't declare

  • Not declaring €10,000+ in cash when entering or leaving the EU: the cash can be detained and fines apply (in some countries up to 50% of the amount).
  • Goods over the allowance not declared: duty, VAT and penalties, and the goods can be seized.
  • Meat and dairy from outside the EU are confiscated and destroyed.

🟣 Reported EntryBrief – EU cash: seizure, fine up to 50% (Portugal example)

Frequently asked questions

How much can I bring duty-free from to Finland?

Goods from outside the EU: €430 per traveller (commercial air/sea travel). Some countries give €150 to under-15s. Allowances cannot be pooled. A single item worth more than the allowance is taxed on its full value.

How much cash can I carry to Finland?

Declare €10,000 or more in cash (including gold coins/bars) when entering or leaving the EU.

Can I pay customs duty online before travelling to Finland?

EU cash declaration form: Required for €10,000 or more in cash when entering or leaving the EU. Many countries let you file it online in advance.

Sources

Last checked: 2026-11-09